Operation Devil's Playground nets 12 suspects

Twelve people have been charged after a three-year investigation into sales of guns, cocaine and methamphetamine in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood on the South Side.

The investigation, dubbed Operation Devil's Playground, involved the FBI and the Chicago Police and targeted drug and gun trafficking by the Satan Disciple gang, the FBI said.

The investigation focused on an area near 59th and Richmond streets where 11 firearms and more than $15,000 was recovered, the FBI said.

Five of the 12 were named in federal criminal complaints charging them with selling guns and drugs: Ranulfo Valadares, 30; Luis Castaneda, 29 of Berwyn; Jaime Reyes, 35 and Refugio Avila, 31, the FBI said. Juan Castaneda, 27, is wanted and the subject of a manhunt, the FBI said.

If convicted, Valadares and Juan Castaneda face a sentence from 10 years to life in prison. Reyes and Avila face a 10-year sentence and Luis Castaneda faces a 20-year sentence, the FBI said.